An Inquiry from France.
Page 19
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[2058] " OFFICIAL " writes : —" We should be very much obliged by your giving us the names of any public services of motor transport existing in England, and the most detailed information possible on their working. We should especially like to know whether these services receive any subsidies for any reason whatever, and what amount is set aside in the national budget for the whole of these organizations."
Aieswea.--There are no public services of motor transport for goods in England which receive any subsidies from the State, other thafe a few mail-van services in the north of Scotland, which are understood to receive a subsidy at the rate of 4M. per mile run. Many passenger services are run by railway companies and contractors, who also have the contract to carry the mails. In some cases the payments are understood to be as high as 9d. per mile, but a figure in the neighbourhood of ed. per mile may be taken as a closer average for all services.
The total rate of payment tor motor-mail services in the United Kingdom is not separately disclosed in the Post Office accounts, but the Government is understood to be saving money at a rate of something like 1120,000 a year, at the present moment, compared with the old methods of mail delivery by horse and rail, in respect of the services undertaken, whilst many more are in contemplation. a The postal authorities refuse to supply a list of the motor-mail services, or of motor-mail contractors;
In cases where passengers and mails are carried, the weight of the [nails may generally be stated to be very seldom in excess of half-a-ton at a time. In other mail contracts, nothing may be carried but mails, the weight of which sometimes reaches three tons. For this latter class of set vice, a payment by the State of is. per mile run is the approximate average.